Happy Birthday Big Sis!

Today my big sis turns 30. So in some ways, I'd like to make fun of how old she is now. But then I am reminded that I am only a few short years away from that mark. Growing up, I always thought that 30 was old, like end of life old. Now that I am inching closer to it, I realize 30 is still rather young. People are living longer. And to me, my life still has plenty of time to start. Afterall, I don't have a career, other than motherhood, which I fully embrace.

Growing up, my sister was my best friend and worst enemy. I remember spending time with her. I also remember many times where she ditched me as I was a pesky little sister. We shared a few secrets growing up, got into a yelling match in the middle of the school cafeteria, and went out to breakfast way to often when we were supposed to be in school. I think the administrators felt bad for me as I didn't have a choice, afterall, I had to go where my ride went. I never knew why she let me tag along with her to the beach, the amusement park, movies or the dance club. I suppose it was probably because she had to if she wanted to go. Growing up, she was my idol, I wanted to be her.

I was never as cool as she was, as much as I tried to be. But now that I'm older, I realize that that's okay. We kind of completed each other. She was one of the popular girls, I was a bookworm. She was the beauty to my geek. If it wasn't for her, I would have never chosen to go to the highschool I went to (I followed her afterall). And for that I thank her. Because if I didn't I never would have met Husband. Which was at a overnight charity event the school held (which once again, I would probably have been to afraid to do without her). If it wasn't for me, she probably wouldn't have finished high school. Her grades dramatically improved once we were in the same highschool. She actually picked up a book and realized how fun it was to read. Now I am constantly borrowing books from her.

She was the maid of honor at my wedding, an honor I've wanted to reciprocate, but she is still searching for Mister Right. I often dreamed of our kids growing up together, but that dream has not come true either. And while my girls are not lacking for cousins, they don't have a bond with any of them. But Aunty has proven that she can at least spoil them rotten.

Our lives are still very different and for some reason, I feel like I have gotten the easier life. She has worked her butt off since graduating high school and lives not to far away in a townhouse with a roommate. I on the other hand, married my high school sweetheart and finished college. A little while later, the girls came along. I have never held a full time job outside of motherhood because I have never needed to. I remember her telling me she would like to have a child by the time she was 30. Then she would say she wasn't cut out to be a mother. But I know that she would be a great mother, despite her inability to be alone with a child and not freak out.

Despite our differences, she has always been there for me. She's planned countless showers for me, helped me move twice (remember the time you, Pat and I moved into my house while Husband was working?) and even picked up Husband from work when I was too sick to. And she's never complained once (well not much at least). She drove the distance to come visit Meenie when she was in the hospital, even though she didn't need to (she even volunteered to cut her vacation short to come home sooner despite the fact that there was nothing she could have done).

And although I don't see her as much as I would like to, she is still my best friend.

Happy Birthday Big Sis!